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Money fears are bad for the mind

The amount that students owe does not necessarily lead to depression, but the
day-to-day struggle to manage their cash can, according to research.

Adrian Scott, a psychology assistant at Bath University, told the British
Psychological Society annual conference last week that everyday financial
problems, such as finding enough cash to pay the telephone bill or to go out
for a drink with friends, were most likely to tip students over the edge.

He said: "In focus groups, people have talked about the difficulty of finding a
fiver from day to day."

Dr Scott's survey involved speaking to 268 students from different departments
at Bath about the amount they owed and their attitudes to debt.

He found that regardless of levels of debt - and how serious the student
perceived that debt to be - it was everyday financial difficulties that
students encountered that were most likely to trigger stress.

"This research shows the importance of providing training in money management
for students," said Dr Scott, "and the need for universities to provide early
support for students experiencing money problems."

His research shows that financial difficulties can affect students' mental
health. But he stressed: "I don't think anxiety and depression are necessarily
caused by debt.

"However, I do think it is an additional burden. If people have personal
problems, this might be what tips them over the edge."

He added: "If students at a very middle-class university such as Bath are
having problems, just think of the implications for students at other (newer)
universities."